Inside Iran's presidential election and beyond

In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, an Iranian man displays his ink-stained finger after voting in the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, Friday, June 14, 2013. What Iran's next president can potentially influence is the tone and tactics with world powers if stalemated nuclear talks resume at some point after a successor is picked for the firebrand President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. (AP Photo/SANA)

Yes, but not in the ways many people think. Iranís president does not set the countryís major policies such as the nuclear program, relations with the West or military projects. All this falls under the ruling clerics headed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The president acts as the main emissary for the theocracyís positions.

But the president is far from powerless. The post oversees important sectors such as the economy, which needs even greater management as Iran tried to ride out increasingly tighter sanctions over Tehranís nuclear program. The president also has the ear of Khamenei and can help shape strategic policies. Much depends on their relationship. Khamenei and Ahmadinejad had a spectacular falling out, but a president in Khameneiís good graces could have a significant voice in Iranian affairs.

WILL THE OUTCOME AFFECT IRANíS NUCLEAR PROGRAM?

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It wonít have a direct effect. The president cannot make any critical changes or concessions. Indirectly, though, the election can have some influence.

Two main theories have been raised. One is that the election could end the internal political bickering of the Ahmadinejad era. This could make the ruling clerics more comfortable in making deals with the West. A second, opposing, prediction is that a seamless front between the ruling clerics and the new president could embolden Iran to take an even more hard-line approach.

The West and its allies fear Iran could be moving toward an atomic weapon. Iran says it only seeks nuclear reactors and technology for energy and medical applications. Iran often cites Khameneiís religious edict, or fatwa, denouncing nuclear arms.

HOW DOES THE ELECTION PROCESS WORK?

Itís a step-by-step process that is tightly controlled by the ruling clerics.

Candidates first registered with the Interior Ministry. Itís essentially an open invitation. Almost anyone can toss in their name. This year, more than 680 did. They ranged from prominent figures such as Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani ó trying to make a comeback after leaving office in 1997 ó to obscure clerics and nonstarters such as a 46-year-old housewife. Iranís constitution refers to the president using a male term, which is interpreted as prohibiting women from serving.

Eight candidates were cleared for the ballot by the Guardian Council, a 12-member panel that vets candidates for president and parliament based on factors including loyalty to the Islamic system. Surprisingly, Rafsanjani was blocked, suggesting the ruling system was worried about his clout and ability to galvanize reformists. Two candidates approved later dropped out of the race in efforts to consolidate voter support behind others.

If there is no absolute winner Friday ó taking more than 50 percent of the vote ó a two-candidate runoff will be held June 21.

WHO CAN VOTE?

There are more than 50 million eligible voters in a population of about 76 million. About a third of the voters are under 30 ó born after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Minimum voting age is 18, raised from 16 in 2007. Iranians abroad can vote in diplomatic compounds and other polling sites.

IS IT FAIR?

A consistent criticism by the West is over the candidate-vetting process. Also, the question of whether the final vote is accurate brings divided opinions. Allegations of ballot rigging were at the center of mass protests and riots in 2009 after Ahmadinejadís disputed re-election. Supporters of the Islamic system insist the voting is fair and transparent, although Iran does not allow outside election observers. Journalists are under tight restrictions on travel and coverage of non-official events.

WHAT CHOICES DO IRANIANS HAVE THIS TIME?

Of the six candidates, nearly all are considered closely allied with the ruling clerics. They include a former foreign minister, Ali Akbar Velayati, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Iranís top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili. A former nuclear negotiator, Hasan Rowhani, is the lone moderate in the field. His campaign has surged in recent days with the backing of ally Rafsanjani and former reformist President Mohammad Khatami.

ARE THERE RISKS OF POST-ELECTION UNREST AS IN 2009?

Iranís opposition movement has been effectively dismantled by years of crackdowns and detentions, including placing Mousavi and fellow presidential candidate Mahdi Karroubi under house arrest in early 2011. There appears to be little spirit for street demonstrations among even the strong dissident factions in Iran, knowing that they would face swift and harsh retaliation from the government. In a pre-emptive move, Iranian authorities tightened controls on the Internet, which was used as a main coordination tool during the 2009 protests.